Travel Insurance Deals

The purpose of travel insurance is to protect the individual against the various costs that may be incurred due to adverse circumstances arising. Risks covered are normally flight cancellation, loss of luggage, medical expenses and repatriation after an accident or the onset of a serious illness.

• Save 15% Online - Save 15% on new policies when you buy online (excludes renewals). You can also receive this discount each time you take out a new single trip policy. M&S Bank have carefully selected AXA Insurance UK plc to underwrite this quality travel insurance. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations apply. In addition there are important conditions relating to health which may affect your cover.

• Save 15% - Save 15% on Endsleigh travel insurance if you remove baggage cover. • Special Family Rates - Special family rate for parents travelling with children up to 17 and full time students up to 23.

Travel insurance, in common with most other types of insurance, is not mandatory, but if you are taking a trip overseas there are so many risks involved to yourself and your property that it is wise to take out at least a minimal level of cover.

Although you may feel fit and healthy and ready to take on the world, when travelling abroad even a relatively minor injury could leave you severely out of pocket and ruin your holiday or business trip, while more severe injuries could even bankrupt you. Here are two typical examples: if you were to fracture your hip whilst white-water rafting in the USA, you would be presented with a bill of at least £22,000; while a heart attack in Spain would probably bring on a second one after receiving a bill for £35,000.

Even in those countries that have reciprocal health care arrangements with the UK, such as Australia, the emergency procedures criteria mean that even if the actual treatment were free, you would have to pay for the ambulance ride.

Research has shown that UK citizens overpay on travel insurance by more than one billion pounds a year, despite individual policies being relatively inexpensive, because many people take out items of cover they do not need. It has been shown that the cheapest travel insurance cover is not necessarily the most ineffective, while many expensive policies do not provide an adequate level of cover.

Online comparison websites are highly recommended when you are looking for travel insurance deals. You should take care when checking the online data forms and pay close attention to the various types of cover being offered, as not all will necessarily be applicable to your personal circumstances. Also take into account such factors as the voluntary excess, because increasing it will reduce the premium. When considering the travel insurance deals UK companies provide, you can tailor your cover by opting for family, single trip, business and other options to suit your specific requirements and adjust the cost accordingly.

The four main categories that are available, as you will see when you compare travel insurance deals, are those covering delays and cancellations; health and medical insurance; cover for loss or damage to personal property and finally, death whilst abroad.

Delays, cancellations and other forms of interruption can play havoc with holiday or business plans and leave you severely out of pocket, especially when you have to check into a hotel, for example. With insurance to cover the cost of food, clothing and other expenses, you can claim all the unexpected additional expenses back when you return home. Also, if some unforeseen event occurs whilst you are abroad that causes you to cut your visit short, such as illness, terrorist acts and the like, the insurer will cover the costs.

Comparing travel insurance deals, you will notice that medical insurance is especially strongly recommended. Some overseas destinations do not pay the same stringent attention to safety and standards of hygiene as the UK and sometimes just a simple change of diet can cause problems. Medical evacuation insurance will deal with any travel costs associated in getting to a local hospital or repatriation to the UK; medical and health insurance will cover the medical costs.

When perusing travel insurance deals UK wide, you will almost certainly want to protect your personal effects against loss or damage and you can also cover yourself for damage to a rental car. Finally, if you are unfortunate enough to be severely injured or even die whilst travelling, accidental death, air flight accident and common carrier travel insurance cover are available. These policies are designed to pay out in the event of death or loss of a limb or limbs during the period of travel, including the flight and whilst on public transport.

Though we all like to think these things only happen to others, it is reassuring to know that there is almost certainly a policy out there to cover just about all eventualities. All you have to do is compare travel insurance deals and make your choice.

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How to save money on...

Travel Insurance

1

Buy Online - You can save up to 20% if you buy online rather than over the telephone.

2

Shop around - When you compare travel insurance deals be sure to get at least three quotes, and remember, it might be a good idea to see a broker who can recommend an insurer to suit your needs. Insurance providers recommended by the travel agent are usually the most expensive.

3

Read the policy documents - Check the fine print of the policy to make sure that you are not paying for cover you do not need and increase the voluntary excess, if appropriate, as a way of bringing the cost down further.

4

You might already be covered - Check if your existing home insurance policy already covers your luggage and bear in mind that if you are travelling off-peak, the usual cancellation cover can probably be dispensed with.

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